Season 6 saw Rey Curtis being introduced, replacing Mike Logan. My thoughts on him in Season 6 were a bit up and down particularly to begin with, and the same goes with the chemistry between him and Briscoe. The previous episodes of Season 6, all ranging between decent ("Paranoia") and outstanding ("Savages" in particular of the three outstanding episodes in a row), saw this yo-yoing on both counts and it stayed that way for a good deal of the season.
Luckily, "Humiliation" is one of the Season 6 episodes that sees Curtis going forward as a character (rather than the regression seen in "Paranoia"). It also sees his and Briscoe's chemistry better gelled. Comparing "Humiliation" with the previous episodes, it is on par with "Bitter Fruit" (though marginally better perhaps as Curtis and his chemistry with Briscoe fare better here) and better than "Rebels" and "Paranoia". While not being as good as "Savages", "Jeopardy" and "Hot Pursuit".
By all means "Humiliation" is not a perfect episode. 'Law and Order' had a fair share of powerful climaxes/endings, but this was one of the cases where the climax didn't leave me too fond of it. Just found it too obvious and very over-acted, and the writing uncharacteristically for the show at this stage of its run is quite overripe.
Do agree too Clare Wren overdoes it in her role and makes it too unsubtly obvious that her character at the very least knows more than initially let on.
Jill Hennessy and Bob Dishy on the other hand are splendid. Hennessy makes one wonder as to why she didn't last longer on the show, whenever Kincaid was spotlighted or when her role was meatier Hennessy never showed any signs of being taxed and is quite authoritative. Dishy has a blast as Weaver and their chemistry in the courtroom entertains and nail bites. Other than Wren, the acting is with few issues with those two being the standouts. The script is tight and intelligent, faltering only at the climax. Shining particularly with the dialogue for Kincaid and Weaver and of course Briscoe's one-liners. Likewise with Kincaid's later doubts.
The case is a compelling one and a case of the policing and legal elements being equally good, rather than one being better than the other (a problem that a few of the previous episodes of the season had). Briscoe can do no wrong in my eyes and Curtis is closer to the progressed character he was in "Scavengers", "Jeopardy" and "Hot Pursuit" than the regressed one in "Paranoia". Likewise with the chemistry between them.
"Humiliation" looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
Overall, very good. 8/10
Luckily, "Humiliation" is one of the Season 6 episodes that sees Curtis going forward as a character (rather than the regression seen in "Paranoia"). It also sees his and Briscoe's chemistry better gelled. Comparing "Humiliation" with the previous episodes, it is on par with "Bitter Fruit" (though marginally better perhaps as Curtis and his chemistry with Briscoe fare better here) and better than "Rebels" and "Paranoia". While not being as good as "Savages", "Jeopardy" and "Hot Pursuit".
By all means "Humiliation" is not a perfect episode. 'Law and Order' had a fair share of powerful climaxes/endings, but this was one of the cases where the climax didn't leave me too fond of it. Just found it too obvious and very over-acted, and the writing uncharacteristically for the show at this stage of its run is quite overripe.
Do agree too Clare Wren overdoes it in her role and makes it too unsubtly obvious that her character at the very least knows more than initially let on.
Jill Hennessy and Bob Dishy on the other hand are splendid. Hennessy makes one wonder as to why she didn't last longer on the show, whenever Kincaid was spotlighted or when her role was meatier Hennessy never showed any signs of being taxed and is quite authoritative. Dishy has a blast as Weaver and their chemistry in the courtroom entertains and nail bites. Other than Wren, the acting is with few issues with those two being the standouts. The script is tight and intelligent, faltering only at the climax. Shining particularly with the dialogue for Kincaid and Weaver and of course Briscoe's one-liners. Likewise with Kincaid's later doubts.
The case is a compelling one and a case of the policing and legal elements being equally good, rather than one being better than the other (a problem that a few of the previous episodes of the season had). Briscoe can do no wrong in my eyes and Curtis is closer to the progressed character he was in "Scavengers", "Jeopardy" and "Hot Pursuit" than the regressed one in "Paranoia". Likewise with the chemistry between them.
"Humiliation" looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
Overall, very good. 8/10
